The Vault Regulars

Friday, February 20, 2015

The heavens had certainly opened as i parked up outside Lyn’s house in Adlington lower village, a short walk to where the start point had been arranged by Martin.
A few minutes later Martin arrived and thankfully we had a car port to use to don our wet gear and boots.

A few minutes walk brought us to the start point of the White Bear Marina cafe where there were bound to be many other souls ready for the off.

As it was there were only 2 others enjoying the warmth of the cafe and one of those was not as daft of us, more sensible than us by just dropping off the wife Julie, while he was bogged down with other duties at home in the man cave.
After a lengthy chin wag and deciding that the 3 of us where the “A” team, we set off. Over the canal bridge and onto the tow path.

Keeping an eye on our progress from a key vantage point was Queen Victoria. I believe that this statue was placed here by Leonard Fairclough. (No not the one from Coronation St. fame). The one who was a builder and stone mason, who lived in the house and who’s company became the famous AMEC. I think the statue was a kind of advert for his services at the adjacent cemetery. I thought this was great.

The points of interest on route. And below a zoom of the route map. (I didn’t take the Satmap as i knew it to be just a short walk.)

It was raining quite a bit but at least it wasn’t getting heavier, as earlier. The Marina is quite a large size with many of the narrow and not so narrow boats being lived upon. The air was full of woodsmoke and noises of occupation.

Photo copied off Martin. (I’m sure he won’t mind).

Leaving the towpath we needed to cross the main road and where we had to take a turning the way was blocked by massive works to electrify the railway line. A short detour after a word with a man in orange had us back on track.
Some very boggy fields were crossed and some unplanned detours to circumnavigate a pond were taken. ( Always full of surprises are Martin’s walks or as i have now called them The 3M’s, Martins Map Meanderings). No we were not lost, honest.

Boggy fields and a nice view of Rivington Pike and Winter Hill.

We crossed and re-crossed the M6 motorway by different bridges before stopping briefly for a brew and some of Sue’s Caramel Shortbread. Quite a large flock of sheep were enjoying the weather which had now stopped raining. Possibly Black Welsh Mountain sheep?

A very nice section of the walk followed the River Douglas which was in spate. Luckily we didn’t have to pass through it. It was a bit odorous in parts. A Heron was spotted as we stopped by a mill pond attached to what seemed like a bleach or dye works.Again quite odorous.

Crossing the main A6 road brought back memories of my childhood. My dad used to deliver materials to a printing factory opposite this pub below. The Wagon and Horses, now closed. During the school holidays he would take me with him and i remember going in here for lunch a few times. Also we would go for evening drives out in the country and for some unknown reason the car would always stop here for refreshment whilst i had to make do with a bag of crisps with the salt in a blue bag.

Another closed pub.

Where the River Douglas flows underneath the canal we climbed the embankment steps to rejoin the canal towpath which in a few minutes led us back to the start point.

I really enjoyed our 10k walk. Thanks Martin and Julie for the company.